February 28, 2022
This message includes updates on the COVID-19 response from CDC. The COVID-19 Outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.
COVID-19 Community Levels
COVID-19 Community Levels are a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data.
Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.
Layered prevention strategies — like staying up to date on vaccines, screening testing, ventilation and wearing masks — can help limit severe disease and reduce the potential for strain on the healthcare system.
Some community settings such as schools and congregate settings might include additional layers of prevention (e.g., physical distancing, contact tracing) based on information and data about the characteristics of the setting.
Take precautions to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 based on the COVID-19 Community Level in your area.
Low
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
Get tested if you have symptoms
Medium
If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
Get tested if you have symptoms
High
Wear a mask indoors in public
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
Get tested if you have symptoms
Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness
People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone
with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
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COVID-19 by County
COVID-19 Community Levels can help communities and individuals make decisions based on their local context and their unique needs,
With current high levels of vaccination and high levels of population immunity from both vaccination and infections, the risk of medically significant disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 is greatly reduced for most people. At the same time, we know that some people and communities, such as our oldest citizens, people who are immunocompromised, and people with disabilities, are at higher risk for serious illness and face challenging decisions navigating a world with COVID-19.
Know your COVID-19 community level and take precautions to protect yourself and others
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Use and Care of Masks
Staying up to date on vaccines and wearing masks can help prevent severe illness and reduce the potential for strain on the healthcare system. People may choose to mask at any time. Wear a mask with the best fit, protection, and comfort for you.
You may choose to wear a mask or respirator that offers greater protection in certain situations, such as when you are with people at higher risk for severe illness, or if you are at higher risk for severe illness.
People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
It is important to wear a mask or respirator when you are sick or caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19. When caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19, a respirator will provide you the best level of protection.
When the COVID-19 Community Level where you live is high, wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk (including in K-12 schools and other community settings).
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COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review
CDC is updating the way it monitors COVID-19’s impact on our communities by looking at each county’s COVID-19 hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and number of cases. In this way, CDC can better inform community-specific recommendations for preventing COVID-19.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.
February 28, 2022
US states, territories, and District of Columbia have reported 78,759,083 cases of COVID-19 in the United States.
CDC provides updated U.S. case information online daily.
In addition to cases, deaths, and laboratory testing, CDC's COVID Data Tracker now has a Vaccinations tab to track distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in your state.
U.S. Cases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd Atlanta, GA 30329 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: 888-232-6348
